Koreatown, Jersey City

Koreatown is a neighborhood of Jersey City, New Jersey, known for its large Korean population and its Korean culture. The first Koreans came to Jersey City during the 1950s as refugees from the Korean War, and immigration increased due to the rise of dictatorships in Stalinist North Korea and capitalist South Korea during the following decades. By the 21st century, most of the immigrants were North Korean defectors, some of whom were affiliated with the North Korean Mafia. Koreatown became gang turf due to the Korean Mob presence in the area, and the Mr. Fuk's Rice Box restaurant served as the headquarters of the North Korean mobsters; there was a shootout at the restaurant in 2008 that left many Koreans dead. The Spanish Lords also had a presence in the area, and they had a neutral relationship with the Koreans.